What Is Modern Farmhouse Style?

modern farmhouse living room with black paned window frame and rounded wall cutouts

Photography by Mike Chajecki; design by Amanda Shields.

This is part of our Design Glossary series! Catch the whole series to find out more about the different types of farmhouse style!

Modern farmhouse style is clean, simple and welcoming. It takes classic rustic farmhouse elements and combines them with the sleek and simple twist of modern decor. Like Scandinavian farmhouse style, less is more in this calming and classic twist on the American homestead.

fireplace with hanging plants and modern candle holders — Photography by David Sparks; home of Sarah Symonds.

Like most farmhouse styles, modern farmhouse style uses lots of wood—the more rustic-looking, the better! But the wood stain is often the same in each room, as it creates a cohesive, uncluttered look. There’s also plenty of white in this style. It creates a bright and airy feel that keeps the space from feeling too cramped. And a few strategically placed plants can go a long way in modern farmhouse style—eucalyptus or a fiddle-leaf fig work especially well.

deck outdoor living room with string lights — In Sarah Pollio’s home, the deck is a clear extension of the home’s modern farmhouse design. “We decided to go with a nontraditional approach with the herringbone design and modernized it with the black metal railing,” she says. Photograph by Andrea Rugg.

Modern farmhouse style gives you the down-to-earth feel of a farmhouse, but without the clutter or unnecessary decor that can sometimes accompany it. It’s the 21st century take on a centuries-old tradition.

Modern Farmhouse, Room by Room

blue island cabinetry in otherwise white modern farmhouse kitchen — Photography by Angela Newton Roy; see more of this home here.

Kitchen

Modern farmhouse kitchens are both effortlessly sleek and incredibly practical. They use trendy elements like marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and dark wood accents. These are combined with classic farmhouse motifs like open shelves, apron front sinks and rustic lighting. And it’s important that modern farmhouse kitchens are also open and light, in order to create an airy and inviting feeling.

Dining Room

It’s no surprise that the classic farmhouse dining table makes an appearance in almost any modern farmhouse dining room, given the rustic and down-to-earth feel it brings to the room. In addition to the table, these dining rooms often use simple yet dramatic light fixtures, eclectic or classic farmhouse chairs, wood paneling and a touch of something green to pull the room together.

Living Room

Modern farmhouse living rooms use comfortable couches, practical seating and storage alongside contemporary touches like Mid Century Modern chairs, plants and oversized frames. The modern farmhouse interior design in these living rooms takes a minimalist approach, as visual interest is drawn to a few select pieces rather than a multitude of them. By doing this, these gathering spaces feel clean, cozy and open.

Bedroom

Just as metal is central to modern farmhouse style, an iron bed frame is key to the perfect modern farmhouse bedroom. Light colored bed lines, in white or beige, also help these rooms get that comfy modern look. Classic farmhouse accents, like linen pillows or traditional footstools, make sure these bedrooms stay connected to their roots. And consider using wood accents to make a statement, like a striking side table or dresser.

starburst patterned tile with high contrast black clawfoot tub and angled ceiling beam — Photo by Darlene Halaby Photography; home of Mike and Norma Flood

Bathroom

Modern farmhouse bathrooms take traditional farmhouse elements like rustic vanities or exposed wood and tone them down by giving them a 21st century twist. Cabinetry in the bathroom is simple and practical—its beauty is in the details, like copper hardware or a beautiful wood stain. Marble tiles or counters make the room feel modern and airy. These bathrooms also often contain a luxurious bathtub or a spacious shower.

Exterior

The exterior of modern farmhouse often looks like the updated version of the ones that existed 100 years ago. White paneling along with metal roofing gives it a pleasing contrast. And these homes sometimes feature ‘green’ elements, like energy efficient windows or solar panels to give it an updated and conscientious look.

sliding barn door — The primary bathroom at Erica Mueller’s house is calming and light-filled. It’s a great example of modern farmhouse style, with the clean white shiplap, barn door and black matte metal door hardware. Photograph by Kerry Bern.

Get The Modern Farmhouse Look

Ready to give your own home a modern farmhouse twist? Here’s a few of our favorite products that will do the job nicely.

Here at American Farmhouse Style, we absolutely love to share our finds from around the web with you! That being said, you may notice that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, AFS receives a small commission at no extra cost to you! Truly a win-win!

Steel ladder resting against wall — Steel and wood leaning ladder. Perfect to hang towels in the bathroom or lean as a decor item in your entryway.

Wood platform bed with modern farmhouse style — Zinus Tricia platform bed. Perfect for adding sleek modern lines to the rustic look of farmhouse wood.

modern farmhouse style striped linen pillowcase — Natural Striped Linen Pillowcase. Classic and comfortable, these will look great just about anywhere.

Leather Modern Farmhouse Sofa — Axel Leather Sofa. Straight lines and thin legs make this sofa a great fit for modern farmhouse style.

wood floating shelves modern farmhouse style — Easy Mount Wood Floating Shelves. These will look great in your kitchen or bathroom.

Modern Farmhouse Area Rug — Henrik Handwoven Wool Area Rug The washed out color of this rug will bring a light and airy feel to any room.

rustic modern farmhouse style lighting — **Farmhouse Beam Light** with Cages and Bulbs. The perfect rustic accent!

Lowell 6 Light Chandelier from Golden Lighting.

modern farmhouse style eucalyptus leaves — Eucalyptus Leaves. Put these in a simple bud vase for a beautiful effect.

Modern Farmhouse Barn Black Door — Modern Barn Door Sliding barn doors are a perfect combo of modern and farmhouse styles.

Black and White Textured Vases — Stoneware Textured Vases. An easily styled decor item.

Ready for a modern farmhouse makeover yet? Tour this beautiful modern farmhouse style ranch! And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration!